Abstract: A control lever arm pivotably mounted on a shaft has associated therewith a plurality of friction discs, and washers disposed between alternate adjacent friction discs. Means are included for adjusting the tightness of the friction discs and washers, such adjustment thereby varying the force which must be applied to the lever arm to overcome the force of such friction discs and pivot the arm about the shaft.

Abstract: A coupling for use with two relatively movable members to transmit force between the members comprising a resilient coil element having convolutions positioned between the members and a solid core element positioned within the convolutions of the resilient element, the resilient element being positioned such that relative movement of the members urges the convolutions into frictional engagement with both of the members. The solid core element is of a size such that when frictional engagement of the members with the convolution occurs, the convolutions are prevented from being distorted beyond their elastic limit to thereby cause permanent set of the resilient element.

Abstract: The foot-operated speed control shaft for the hydrostatic transmission of a garden tractor is provided with an operating handle which is pivoted on the shaft for fore and aft movement, and is slightly flexed laterally. This flexure energizes a friction block which is secured to the handle and slides across a fixed braking surface to arrest the control shaft in any selected rotative position. The upper part of the operating handle includes a tube enclosing a spring-loaded plunger and rod. The rod has a lower end extending past the edge of a quadrant which is secured to the control shaft. According to the position of the plunger, the rod end can be either seated within a notch in the edge of the quadrant, or can be locked out of contact with the notch. Since the quadrant is attached to the control shaft, the two control systems, i.e.

Abstract: Cruise control apparatus for releasably holding a hand grip throttle at any given throttle position comprises a fixed position slip ring slidably riding around the outer periphery of a collar securely fastened to a rotatable hand grip throttle control. The slip ring comprises an open section with tabs extending from opposed ends of the slip ring facing the open section. A thumb actuated cam lever is employed to selectively squeeze the tabs of the slip ring together so as to clamp the slip ring on the periphery of the secured collar and hold the throttle in any desired position. The cam lever is easily released to effect immediate release of the cruise control whenever manual control is desired.

Abstract: A derailleur for a bicycle, which comprises four members, including a fitting member, two linkage members and a movable member, all movable with respect to each other. Between two of the members there is a device for positioning cages having chain-guide pulleys mounted on the movable member, whereby the derailleur enables the cages to be properly positioned and kept in the position at each speed-change stage of the bicycle so that an accurate and light speed-change operation may be performed.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly including a hanger body having a slideway extending therethrough in which a rod is slidably disposed with the rod attached to a flexible wire element which is, in turn, movably supported in a flexible conduit attached to the hanger body. The improvement resides in providing membranes formed integrally with the hanger body on opposite sides of the slideway with projecting portions extending into the slideway to bear against the rod so that the rod is held against movement between the membranes until a predetermined force is applied to the rod. The membranes are formed by bores extending into the hanger body parallel to the slideway so that the flexible membranes are formed between the slideway and each bore.

Abstract: A telescopically adjustable steering column includes a locking wedge positioned by a collar which applies locking force to a steering shaft having an externally splined lower portion mated with an internally splined tube connected to a steering pump.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a crawler tractor or the like, includes separate reversible hydrostatic transmission units which are adapted for driving the tracks of the tractor. The transmission units are controlled through means including a valve assembly actuated by a first manually operable linkage for simultaneously effecting changes in the speed and direction of rotation of the units, and through means of a pair of second manually operable linkages for in effect overriding the transmission condition selected by the first manually operable linkage by selectively retarding the speed of and/or changing the direction of rotation of the hydrostatic motors for effecting steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A piston is mounted for relative sliding movement in the cylindrical bore of a sleeve. The piston comprises a plurality of piston parts, one, a driving piston part connected with a prime mover or a fixed support. A piston rod, supported by the piston at one end and by a sleeve guide at the other end, drives said driving piston part. The other and driven piston parts are connected with, and driven by said one piston part through a metallic ball, rollable in a groove formed in abutting piston part surfaces. This groove extends generally parallel to the piston axis, at an angle thereto, and with the opposite end groove portions thereof closest to the piston axis. When the piston parts move in given and opposite directions, the depth of the groove reduces and the ball functions to transmit motion from the driving piston part to the driven piston part. When the piston parts move in the other direction, the depth of the groove increases and no motion is transmitted.

Abstract: A marine jet drive unit includes a continuously running pump. A reversing gate is positioned partially or wholly within the forward jet to establish a corresponding reverse jet. For neutral drive, the gate is positioned such that the reverse jet just balances the forward jet. A remote shift control unit includes a detent means for locating and holding a rotatable shift lever in neutral. The detent means includes a pair of detent pins carried by a plate which is connected to a support wall by a slot and bolt lost motion connection. The pins are located to opposite sides of the lever and the connection permits angular adjustment about the pivot axis of the lever. The plate supports the detent pin in alignment with a circular outer periphery of the lever plate having oppositely located radial detent grooves. The lever is connected by a push-pull cable to the gate. The precise neutral position of the lever may vary for different drive units.

Abstract: An operating mechanism mounted to a bicycle, which is provided with a winding body for winding up thereto a control wire, which is formed separately from a lever rotatably supported to a fixed shaft which is secured onto a bracket member of the bicycle, and also the winding body and the lever are separately pivotally supported to the shaft; a sliding member insertably mounted between the both; and a restraining mechanism mounted between the winding body and the fixed shaft, whereby it is made possible to correct an inaccurate action of an operative demise such as a derailleur, brakes or the like, which action is caused by fluctuation of the stroke of the lever-turning as a result of elongation of the control wire or the like.

Abstract: A check valve comprises a spring biased poppet reciprocally mounted in a housing thereof to normally close an inlet to the valve. A set screw is threadably mounted in an exposed position on the housing to selectively vary the spring load on the poppet to thus vary the pressure setting thereof. An annular elastomeric locking member circumvents the set screw and is compressed radially inwardly thereagainst by a clamping member, releasably attached on the housing, to retain the set screw in its preset position.